Defensive Backgammon Strategy

admin · Site Admin Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 862

There are a few lucky players who can win a game of backgammon by simply rushing towards their home board with all of their checkers and not paying any attention to their opponent, but for most of us this strategy never works. Most of us have found that it is impossible to win without a little defensive backgammon strategy.

Defensive backgammon strategy is made up of a few main things - creating made points, anchors and blockades and working on strengthening your backgame.

A made point is a point on the board with at least two of your checkers on it. Your opponent cannot land on these points, which are the framework for all defensive backgammon strategy. A made point within your opponent's home board is called an anchor, a row of made points is known as a blockade and a blockade six points wide is known as a prime.

Defensive backgammon strategy is most important in two places - in your home board and in your opponent's home board (your backgame). Creating anchors and blockades on the opposing side serves a dual purpose - it makes it more difficult for your opponent to enter checkers and also serves as landing points where you can re-enter the game, should you be hit. In your own home board, it is important to set up defensive strategy in order to protect your checkers so that you won't be hit. Building blockades can trap your opponent on the bar and keeping checkers together in made points will keep you from being hit.